2020-01-21_PERMIT FILE - M2019046 ‎(5)‎

• Permit No: M2019046
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/21/2020
• Doc Name: Adequacy Review Response
• From: Greg Lewicki & Associates
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: JPL
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

12/9/2019 ESD Printable Report
,5 GrovrM Curve
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Decadent Plants, Excessive Plant Litter Plant Community
This plant community developed under the absence(20 years or more)of herbivory and/or fire.The dominant plants tend to be somewhat
similar to those found in the Reference Plant Community.
Herbivory followed by adequate recovery or fire can quickly move this plant community back toward the Reference Plant Community.Much of
the nutrients are tied up in excessive litter.Organic matter oxidizes in the air rather than being incorporated into the soil due to the absence of
animal impact.Excessive litter levels prevent sunlight from reaching plant crowns and in time can stagnate the plant community.
Bunchgrasses such as alkali sacaton,switchgrass,and big bluestem have a tendency to exhibit dead centers and eventually entire plants can
die off.
Total annual production can vary substantially from 600 to 2800 pounds of air-dry vegetation per acre depending on how long this plant
community has developed in the absence of haying,grazing or fire.
Plant Growth Curve
Growth curve number: C06910
Growth curve name: Warm season dominant,cool season sub-dominant,excess litter;MLRA-69;lowland water influenced soi
Growth curve description:
Percent Production by Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
0 0 2 8 20 30 20 10 7 3 0 0
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Section II: Ecological Site Interpretations
Animal Community
WILDLIFE INTERPRETATIONS:
This ecological site is wetter than many others in MLRA 69,potentially providing breeding habitat for amphibian species that is missing on
drier ecological sites.Even with the wetter conditions,this site is not expected to support a fishery or permanent water bodies.Some
species may use this area for reproductive functions or for other phases of their lives then move into the grassland once those needs are
met.Historic large grazers that influenced these plant communities were bison,elk,and pronghorn.Changes to the plant community over
time have resulted in the loss of bison,the reduction in elk numbers,and pronghorn population swings. Domestic grazers now share these
habitats with wildlife.The grassland communities of eastern Colorado are home to many bird species.Changes in the composition of the
plant community when moving from the Reference Plant Community to other communities on this ecological site may result in dramatic
species shifts in the bird community.Mule and white-tailed deer may use this ecological site,however the shrub cover is too low to expect
more than occasional use.The gray wolf and wild bison used this ecological site in historic times.The wolf is thought to be extirpated from
Eastern Colorado.Bison are currently found only as domestic livestock.
Alkali Sacaton,Switchgrass,Western Wheatgrass,Prairie Cordgrass Plant Community(Reference Plant Community):
The loamy soils and landscape position of this ecological site may discourage burrowing amphibians,reptiles,and mammals found on
adjacent upland sites from using this site.Woodhouse's toad is expected on this site along with reptiles such as bullsnake and glossy snake.
The structural diversity in the plant community found on the Reference Plant Community is attractive to a number of bird species such as
Cassin's and Brewer's sparrow.Frruginous and Swainson's hawks are commonly seen using this site.Mammals that may use the site for
foraging or cover include jackrabbit,badger,coyote,swift fox,and pocket mouse.
https://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/ESDReporUfsReportPrt.aspx?id=R069XY03000&rptLevel=all&approved=yes&repType=regular&scrns=&comm= 8/15